The Ten Bells, E1

Randomness Guide to London - Ten Bells entry

Randomness Guide to London - Ten Bells entry

They only had Bombardier on handpump during my visit, but it was OK. The pub sports large windows that let in a lot of light on a sunny day, but which only tends to emphasize how tatty and uncared for the interior seems. Seeing past that, however, we are lucky to see some original Victorian tilework that has survived to the present day, including a large panel showing an 18th century street scene. I doubt whether the extravagant interior decoration was in place when JTR carved his place in London’s history in the summer and autumn of 1888. In any case, neither JTR nor his victims would have appreciated the potential longevity of the pub’s decorations! It’s certainly worth dropping in to have a look at the interior but, unless you have a fascination with Jack The Ripper, I don’t see much to recommend this pub.

A famous stopping off point for the Jack the Ripper tours as it is rumoured that some of his victims used the pub before the gory events of 1888. It was actually called The Jack the Ripper in the 1970’s and 80’s until someone with a little more taste returned it to its old name. It looks a bit beaten up now but there is some magnificent tiling including a mural depicting a scene of a Weavers shop in old Spitalfields. There were a worrying number of CCTV cameras, at least five that we counted, which may well reflect its current target market and clientele. The only ale available was Bombardier but not wishing to trust that I went for a bottle of Anchor Steam Beer. Visit to view the tiling and take in the history but it’s not one to stay at for too long.

Thoroughly awful hole full of students drinking lager. I’ll be generous and give the place 3/10